Alvarez’s two monster blasts power Pirates over Brewers 5-2

Pedro Alvarez hits a two-run shot into the right field upper deck during the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, May 25, 2013, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

by Mark Kass

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Pedro Alvarez hit two home runs, Andrew McCutchen also went deep, and Jeff Locke pitched six shutout innings to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 5-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.

Neil Walker added a solo home run for the Pirates, who won for a second time in Milwaukee this season, but for only the ninth time since 2007 at Miller Park — against 47 losses.

Locke (5-1) gave up three hits and struck out a season-high seven, to win his fourth straight game. It was the second straight game he didn’t give up a run.

Mike Fiers (1-3), starting in place of Kyle Lohse (elbow), lasted four innings, giving up four runs, including three home runs, and five hits.

Carlos Gomez homered twice for Milwaukee.

Milwaukee is 5-17 in May and has not won back-to-back games since April 29-30 at home against Pittsburgh.

The Pirates grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning as McCutchen hit his seventh home run. It was McCutchen’s fourth home run off Fiers during his career.